KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Salvador Perez has known Jose Altuve long enough to know the Astros’ All-Star second baseman doesn’t slump for long. So the Royals’ All-Star catcher realizes his former youth league …

A day after taking a foul tip off his face mask and a fastball to the ribs, Royals All-Star catcher Salvador Perez adamantly declared Tuesday that he would be ready to start Game 5 of the Division Series on Wednesday night. …

The Royals had been in this position before, pushed to the brink of elimination in a win-or-go-home nail-biter, which explains how they could find their way back Monday to beat the Astros and force a …